Kourion Complex (Stadium), terracotta objects 1948

Handwritten: Kourion

The Terracottas of [handwritten: Gurium]

The excavations of the University Museum at [handwritten: Gurium] [handwritten: Kourion] have revealed an important ancient manufacturing center for terracotta figurines, to be added to the disappointingly short list of such sites already known. Although terracottas made at [handwritten: Kourion] were exported to other, particularly sanctuary sites, it is proved that [handwritten: Kourion] was their source, and, incidentally, Cesnola's much-questioned proveniences have been vindicated, at least for those terracottas which he listed as from [handwritten: Kourion]. The figurines now being prepared for publication fall into the three following groups:

[handwritten: The] (1) Fill from the Archaic Precinct covers a widespread area near the small temple of Apollo Hylates; here great numbers of archaic terracottas were found. About 1,000 of the smaller terracottas, mostly representing standing votaries, have been catalogued for publication. Other subjects are [handwritten: "]ring-dances[handwritten: "], various ceremonial groups, and votive animals, especially bulls. Horsemen and chariots, the popular dedications of the later Votive Deposit, are few. By the study of fabrics, paint, and manufacturing techniques, it has been established that the majority of these terracottas were locally made; by comparison with examples in the Cyprus Museum and elsewhere, we have identified the other sanctuary-centers from which the few imported pieces were brought to [handwritten: Kourion]. One of the most interesting of these is a large quadriga with charioteer and votary which was manufactured, probably to order, in the neighboring kingdom of Amathus; its magnificence suggests that it may have been a royal dedication.

Large human figures, some of life-size, also stood in the Archaic Precinct. These are in general of types